Steering column telescope positive lock and breakaway device

ABSTRACT

An adjustment subassembly for a steering column assembly including a telescope plate (40) adapted to be secured to a column tube (20) of the steering column assembly; a locking pin (70) having one or more features (78) at one end that are adapted to engage with the telescope plate (40); a preload plate (50) adapted to receive at least a portion of the locking pin (70) at an opposing end of the locking pin (70); and a user operating device (34) for causing engagement and disengagement of the locking pin (70) and the telescope plate (40) through contact with the preload plate (50).

FIELD

In general, the present teachings relate to an improved collapsiblesteering column assembly and methods associated with the same. Moreparticularly, the present teachings are directed to at an internalcollapsing tilt and/or telescopically adjustable steering column system.

BACKGROUND

During a vehicle collision, there are commonly two impacts. In a primaryimpact, the vehicle impacts another object. In a secondary impact, avehicle occupant impacts a component of the vehicle. For example, avehicle operator sometimes impacts the steering wheel due to inertia. Inorder to help try to protect drivers from such secondary impacts, it hasbecome common practice to use an impact-absorbing type steering column.A collapsible steering column system is an example of animpact-absorbing type steering column.

The structure of an impact-absorbing type steering column apparatus issuch that when the driver suffers a secondary impact, the impact energyacts on the steering column in the frontward direction of the vehicle.The steering column may detach from one or more fixation points with thevehicle body and move forward (e.g., in a collapse stroke), so that theimpact energy is absorbed in the course of the collapse stroke. Anexternal collapsing column assembly is an example of a system in whichthe entire column will translate relative to its fixation points. Aninternal collapsing column assembly typically will be fixed at one ormore fixation points near one of the ends of the assembly within thevehicle. During a collapse stroke from a secondary impact components ofthe assembly will longitudinally collapse (e.g., generally within thevolume it occupies within the vehicle in normal operation; that is,generally within its “footprint” in the vehicle), but generally will notcollapse beyond a certain distance relative to a predetermined fixationpoint. An internal collapsing system thus has a stroke, but may remainfixed to the vehicle at the one or more fixation points.

For many applications, steering column assemblies incorporate one orboth of a tilt or telescopic function. For these applications, it iscommon to employ levers for manual performance of such functions by avehicle user. By way of example, in what is known as a “manual rake andreach” steering column assembly, the assembly will have both a tilt(“rake”) and a telescopic (“reach”) function, with a lever provided fora vehicle user to manually release for affording rake and reachadjustment to a selected position, and then to re-engage for fixing thesteering column in the selected position.

Current assemblies require the use of several multi-plates. Thesemulti-plates are expensive, take up significant space within theassembly, or both. Attachment of the multi-plates requires a complex andheavy structure to allow them to break away in a secondary impact. Also,the specific strength capacity of the multi-plates may be lower thandesired.

Notwithstanding efforts to improve collapsible steering columnassemblies, (e.g., internally collapsible steering column assemblies),there remains a need for alternative assemblies, particularly thosewhich are easily adjustable in a tilt direction, telescoping direction,or both. There remains a need for easier assembly of these assemblies ina vehicle, reduction in weight, reduction of space of elements, ease ofbreakaway, or a combination thereof. There also remains a need for anassembly with components in which during an impact such as a secondaryimpact, one or both of a user operating device (e.g., a lever) and asteering wheel (if employed) may be translated forward and away from avehicle user.

The following U.S. patent documents may be related to the presentteachings: U.S. Publication Nos. 2008/0236325; 2008/0111363;2009/0174177; 2010/0300238; 2010/0032933; and 2015/0096404; and U.S.Pat. Nos. 8,047,096; 9,428,213; and 9,415,795; all of which areincorporated by reference herein for all purposes. Published U.S.Application No. 2013/0233117 also may have teachings related to thepresent teachings and is incorporated by reference herein.

SUMMARY

The present teachings make use of a simple, yet elegant, constructionapproach by which relatively few components can be employed forachieving a steering column assembly, such as a collapsible steeringcolumn assembly. The steering column assembly may be an adjustable(e.g., for rake and/or reach) steering column assembly. For example,though having applicability to externally collapsing assemblies (whichare contemplated within the present teachings), the steering columnassembly herein may be an internally collapsible assembly. It may be anassembly that is affixed within a vehicle at one or more fixation pointsso that upon a secondary impact the steering column assembly resistsforward motion substantially beyond (e.g., about 10 mm or more or about20 mm or more beyond) the one or more fixation points. It may be acollapsible steering column assembly that exhibits relatively goodenergy absorption characteristics, especially during a secondary impact.It may be a collapsible steering column assembly that exhibitslongitudinal displacement (e.g., forward translation) of one or morecomponents of the assembly (e.g., a column tube) during a secondaryimpact.

As one general way of characterizing the present teachings, there isenvisioned a collapsing steering column assembly. It may be aninternally collapsing assembly or an externally collapsing assembly.Though, it is particularly attractive for an internally collapsingassembly in which at least a portion of the assembly is secured againstany substantial forward movement (e.g., about 50 mm or less, about 20 mmor less, or about 10 mm or less) within a vehicle. The steering columnassembly may include a steering wheel position adjustment portion (e.g.,an arrangement adapted for adjusting the rake and/or reach position of asteering wheel relative to a vehicle operator, such as a telescopingtubular arrangement). It may include one or more brackets for at leastpartially carrying the steering wheel position adjustment portion and/orattaching the assembly within the vehicle. It may include a securingmember (e.g., as discussed elsewhere herein, a tilt bolt or otherelongated member, such as one that is adapted for applying a securingforce to help maintain a steering column assembly in a desired position)for fixing the position of the steering wheel position adjustmentportion (such as by operation of a lever that is adapted to be employedby an operator to apply or remove a securing force). During normaloperation, the steering column assembly may be in a secure engagementposition, where at least a portion of the steering shaft supportstructure (e.g., a column tube, a column housing, or both) is fixed in afixed position in the steering column assembly. The secure engagementposition may be the adjusted position selected by the user in anadjustable position steering column assembly.

The present teachings contemplate an adjustment subassembly for asteering column assembly. The adjustment subassembly may include atelescope plate, which may be adapted to be secured to a column tube ofa steering column assembly. The adjustment subassembly may include alocking pin. The locking pin may have one or more features at one endthat are adapted to engage with one or more features of the telescopeplate. The adjustment subassembly may include a preload plate. Thepreload plate may be adapted to receive at least a portion of thelocking pin (e.g., an opposing end of the locking pin from the featuresadapted to engage with the telescope plate). The adjustment subassemblymay include a user operating device, such as a lever, for causingengagement and/or disengagement of the locking pin and the telescopeplate, such as through contact with the preload plate. The locking pinmay be pushed toward the telescope plate upon locking of the lever,thereby coupling the column tube and the column housing. The locking pinmay be lifted away from the telescope plate upon unlocking of the lever,decoupling the column tube and the column housing.

The telescope plate may be generally planar. The telescope plate mayinclude a toothed surface, or other frictional or engagement surface,extending across at least a portion of the telescope plate. Thetelescope plate may include one or more features for securing and/orreceiving a telescope damper. The telescope plate may, for example,include a curved portion at one end to define an area for receivingand/or supporting a telescope damper.

The locking pin may include a plurality of teeth, or other complementaryfeature, for engaging with the toothed surface of the telescope plate.At an opposing end of the locking pin from the teeth, the locking pinmay include a head adapted to be received within the opening of thepreload plate. The locking pin may include a lip adjacent to the head.The lip may have a width (e.g., maximum width) or diameter that isgreater than the width (e.g., maximum width) or diameter of the head.The locking pin may include a body (e.g., located on or extending fromthe opposing side of the lip). The body may have a width (e.g., maximumwidth) or diameter less than that of the lip. The locking pin mayinclude one or more generally flat segments extending along a length ofthe locking pin. A return spring may be located around the body of thelocking pin. The return spring may, for example, cause the locking pinto disengage from the telescope plate when the adjustment subassembly isin an unlocked position.

The user operating device may include a contact portion that has anangled surface adapted to contact the preload plate. This may causepreloading and/or engagement of the locking pin and the telescope platewhen in a locked position. The preload plate may include an outersegment adapted to contact a portion of the user operating device. Theouter segment may include one or more contact features for contacting aportion of the user operating device (e.g., a projection, a ridge, orthe like). The preload plate may include an inner segment adapted toreceive at least a portion of the locking pin. The inner segment mayinclude a pin opening for receiving the head of a locking pin. The innersegment and outer segment may be joined by an arcuate portion. Thearcuate portion may provide some flexibility to the preload plate,allowing the inner segment and outer segment to move relative to eachother (e.g., when a force is applied or released). The outer segment andinner segment may be generally parallel to each other when at rest(e.g., with no forces acting upon it).

The present teachings also contemplate a steering column assembly. Thesteering column assembly may include a column tube, a steering shaftsupported for rotation at least in part by the column tube, a bracketfor at least partially carrying the column tube and/or securing theassembly within a vehicle, and the adjustment subassembly as describedherein. The adjustment subassembly may be adapted for selectivelyadjusting the steering shaft, column tube, or both, in a fore or aftdirection generally along the longitudinal axis; selectively raisingand/or lowering the steering shaft, column tube, or both; or both. Thetelescope plate may be secured to the column housing by one or morefasteners (e.g., rivets). The telescope plate may be adapted to breakaway from the column tube upon an impact exceeding a threshold load. Forexample, the rivets joining the column tube and telescope plate mayshear, allowing for the breakaway of the telescope plate.

As can be seen, it is thus possible to realize a unique assembly (andassociated methods) that enable a steering column assembly to adjust(e.g., tilt, telescope, or both), that ease assembly, reduce the numberand/or size of necessary parts, that provide for energy absorptionand/or breakaway during an impact exceeding a threshold load, or acombination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative steering column assemblyin accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adjustment subassembly of a steeringcolumn assembly in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 3 illustrates components of an exemplary adjustment subassembly ofa steering column assembly.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly taken along line A-A ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary telescope plate in accordance with thepresent teachings.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary preload plate in accordance with thepresent teachings.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an exemplary locking pin in accordance withthe present teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, details of the present teachings are disclosed herein;however, it is to be understood that the disclosed teachings are merelyexamples that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Thefigures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggeratedor minimized to show details of particular components. Some features maybe omitted for clarity or otherwise. Therefore, specific structural andfunctional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted aslimiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilledin the art to variously employ the present teachings.

In general, and as will be appreciated from the description thatfollows, the present teachings pertain to a steering column assembly.The steering column assembly may include a mounting portion for securingthe steering column assembly in a vehicle in a fixed operationalposition. The assembly may have a collapsing and/or telescoping portion,at least a portion of which is adapted to travel forward relative to themounting portion, while the mounting portion stays generally in itsfixed operational position (e.g., any travel of the mounting portion maybe controlled and/or limited to an amount of about 50 mm or less, about20 mm or less, or about 10 mm or less). Among its basic concepts theteachings are directed to a steering column assembly that, in the eventof an impact such as a secondary impact that results in a load of acertain threshold amount (e.g., a load of about 0.5 kN or more or about2 kN or more; a load of about 10 kN or less or about 5 kN or less), maybe adapted so that at least a portion of the collapsing portion travelsforward within the vehicle. The forward travel may be in a telescopicmanner (e.g., at least one first structure that is operatively connectedto a steering wheel (such as a column tube) may advance forward (e.g.,along an axis that is generally parallel with (such as within about 10°of being parallel with) a vehicle longitudinal axis) in a vehiclerelative to at least one second structure that may at least partiallysurround the at least one first structure (e.g., a column housing)).

The teachings envision that the steering column assembly may include atilt or rake adjustment that is adapted to allow a user to select anangle of inclination of a steering wheel, a reach adjustment that isadapted to allow a user to select an appropriate fore-aft position ofthe steering wheel, or both. In general, any such adjustment may becontrolled by a suitable user operating device (e.g., a lever, anelectromechanical actuator, motor, or otherwise). For a manuallyoperated system, a lever or other user operating device may be adaptedto control a force applied to maintain the collapsing portion in a userselected position. For example, a lever or other user operating devicemay be in operative engagement with one, two, or more mechanisms toreleasably (and possibly adjustably as well) secure two or morecomponents of the collapsing portion together. In particular, withrespect to adjustment of the tilt of the assembly, securing may berealized by a suitable securing member (e.g., an elongated forceapplying member), such as a bolt (e.g., a tilt bolt), rod, strap, bar,band, wedge, cam, or other suitable member, or a combination thereof.For instance, the securing member may be adapted, upon actuation of theuser operating device to cause a cam or rotational member to rotate andengage with a wall of a tilt plate to secure the steering wheel at itsdesired angle. Upon actuation of the user operating device, a pin may bebrought out of or pushed into engagement with one or more engagementfeatures (e.g., toothed portion, shape complementary to the pin, or oneor more openings) located on or attached to a column tube, allowing fortelescoping adjustment.

The teachings, in general, also envision the possible use of one or moreenergy absorption devices. The energy absorption devices may be asuitable device adapted to deform elastically and/or elastically andplastically. In the course of deforming, the energy absorption devicesare thus adapted to absorb energy by way of the deformation. The energyabsorption device may be operatively connected or located between oramong two or more components. It may be configured so that it limitsrelative movement as between or among two or more components. The energyabsorption devices may be wires, plates, strips, or the like. They mayhave a constant profile or a varying profile along their length. Theymay be employed to have one or more fixedly constrained portions (e.g.,an end). They may have one or more free ends.

Energy absorption or control may be provided by one or more elementsbreaking away from another element within the assembly in the event ofan impact exceeding a threshold load. For example, a plate secured tothe column tube may break away or become disengaged from the column tubeupon an impact exceeding a threshold load. The fasteners, such asrivets, joining the components may shear, thereby allowing for thebreakaway.

In examples illustrated, teachings describe aspects useful for aninternally collapsing steering column assembly for an automotivevehicle. In general, an assembly of the teachings herein may include asteering shaft (e.g., one that can be coupled with a steering wheel orother steering device) and/or a column tube that supports the steeringshaft (e.g., via one or more bearings). A column housing may beemployed. It may be adapted to telescopically couple with the columntube (e.g., each may have a longitudinal axis that is generally parallelor even coaxial with each other). One or more brackets may be employedfor at least partially securing either or both of the column tube or thecolumn housing to the vehicle (e.g., to a cross-vehicle structure). Thebracket or one or more tilt plates may include a suitable portion (e.g.,a slot such as a generally vertically oriented slot) adapted to providea guide structure for a tilt function. A user operating device, such asa lever, may be employed for allowing a user to manually operate and/oradjust the assembly. An electromechanical device that applies orreleases a force in response to a signal from an operation switch may beemployed. The steering column assembly may be configured so that in theevent of a threshold load realized during an impact such as a secondaryimpact, at least a portion the assembly (e.g., the column tube, steeringshaft, steering wheel, or a combination thereof) is able to translateforward from its typical operational position. Therefore, the columntube may thus be rendered able to translate forward relative to thecolumn housing, carrying with it the steering wheel attached. As aresult, it can be seen that it is possible that the steering wheel isrendered able to translate forward, e.g., away from the user.

The teachings address an assembly that may typically include a columntube, a steering shaft, a bracket, a column housing, and a steeringwheel adjustment subassembly (e.g., a manually operated steering wheeladjustment subassembly). The steering wheel adjustment subassembly mayinclude a lever (as discussed, or some other user operating device)adapted for actuating (e.g., manually actuating) the subassembly viatilt, telescoping, or both. One or more motors may be used instead of orin addition to manual actuation via a lever. For example, one or moremotors or other electromechanical actuators may cause tilt, telescoping,or both. It is further contemplated that a lever may be used to cause atilt or telescoping function, while a motor or other electromechanicalactuator may be used to cause the other of the tilt or telescopingfunction. At least one engagement member (e.g., a pin) may be broughtinto and out of engagement with the column tube or a structure securedthereto for selectively locking the steering shaft into a position(e.g., telescoped position) desired by a user (e.g., via the lever). Oneor more rotational members may be brought into and out of engagement(e.g., via interference) with a wall of a tilt plate defining a verticalslot for adjustment of the tilt position desired by a user (e.g., viathe lever). During an impact such as a secondary impact, the columnhousing remains in a generally fixed position relative to a forwardpivot mounting location (e.g., any forward translation is limited to arelatively small amount (e.g., about 20 mm or less or about 10 mm orless)).

The assemblies as described herein generally will include a tube that isoperatively connected with a steering wheel (not shown), e.g., via asteering shaft. One such tube, referred to herein as a column tube,typically will have a hollow cavity along at least a portion of (if notthe entirety of) the length of the tube and may be sized and configuredto receive and support a rotatable shaft, namely a steering shaft andpossibly one or more bearings. Both the shaft and the tube will have alongitudinal axis. When installed in a vehicle, the longitudinal axis ofeach the shaft and the tube (as well as the steering column assembly ingeneral) may be generally coaxially aligned, aligned generally parallelwith a longitudinal axis of a vehicle, or each. The shaft and the columntube may be made of or otherwise include a suitable metal, such as oneor more of iron (e.g., steel), magnesium, zinc, or aluminum.

The column tube may be generally cylindrical and hollow. It may have aforward end portion and a rearward end portion, and a longitudinal axis.Either or both of the forward or rearward end portion may include asuitable bearing that supports the steering shaft for rotation.

The steering shaft may have a rearward end portion adapted to receive asteering wheel (not shown). It may have a forward end portion thatpenetrates through and may be supported by a bearing, a key lock collar,or both. As noted, the steering shaft may be supported for rotation atleast in part by the column tube and have a longitudinal axis that maybe generally coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the columntube.

One or more suitable brackets may be employed. Any such bracket mayinclude a portion for mounting the steering column assembly within avehicle (e.g., it can be secured to a vehicle structure, such as a crossvehicle beam, instrument panel, or otherwise). The bracket may have aportion that at least partially adjoins the steering shaft supportstructure (e.g., the column tube, the column housing or both). Forexample, a bracket may include or be joined to one or a plurality ofdownward depending (downwardly oriented) walls (e.g., tilt plates) thatdefine a tilt portion of the bracket. One or more of the downwarddepending walls (e.g., tilt plates) may be adapted to provide astructure that has an elongated slot that provides guidance for the tiltfunction (e.g., it provides a guide path for a securing member such as atilt bolt as it travels during adjustment; it may thus limit upward anddownward travel). The bracket may be an integrated structure so that thetilt portion and the mounting portion are a single structure (e.g., acasting, a stamping, or a combination thereof). The bracket may be madeof separate structures that are assembled together to define themounting and tilt portions in a single structure. The mounting portionmay be omitted and/or may be located elsewhere within the steeringcolumn assembly. The tilt portion may be omitted. A mounting bracket maybe employed separately from a structure defining a tilt portion.Examples of brackets that may be employed, in addition to the examplesdescribed herein, include those of U.S. Publication No. 2010/0300238(the entirety of which is incorporated by reference for all purposes;see, e.g., description of bracket 20); U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,807, theentirety of which is incorporated by reference for all purposes (see,e.g., description of brackets 6 and 7 and associated structure).

One or more brackets (e.g., tilt brackets), tilt plates, or acombination thereof may be employed and adapted for receiving at least aportion of a steering shaft support structure (e.g., at least a portionof the column tube, the column housing, or both), and/or for mountingthe steering column assembly within the automotive vehicle. By way ofexample, a tilt bracket of the present teachings may include an upperportion that is adapted to be secured to a vehicle structure, such as across vehicle beam, instrument panel, or otherwise. The bracket (e.g.,tilt bracket) may have a pair of generally opposing downwardly orientedor projecting walls (e.g., tilt plates). The bracket (e.g., tiltbracket) may have a structure or may be joined directly or indirectly toone or more plates that at least partially flank at least a portion ofthe steering shaft support structure (e.g., the column tube). Thebracket (e.g., tilt bracket) may include or be joined directly orindirectly to a pair of opposing side walls, an upper wall that isconfigured to attach to the vehicle (e.g., to a cross vehicle beam, aninstrument panel, or other suitable structure), or a combinationthereof. The side walls may project outward relative to the upper wall(e.g., they may be generally orthogonally or obliquely disposed relativeto the upper wall). The bracket (e.g., tilt bracket) may have a singledownwardly projecting or oriented wall. The bracket (e.g., tilt bracket)may be disposed laterally above and outward relative to an opposingportion of the column housing.

It is possible that the teachings herein can be employed for steeringcolumn assemblies that are not adjustable, but which still require theability to collapse. In such instances, there will be no rake or reachadjustment hardware. However, the concepts herein may still be adaptedto achieve collapse. A mounting bracket may secure one or both of acolumn housing, or a column tube, to a vehicle. An energy absorptiondevice may be employed to limit forward travel of one or more componentsof the steering column assembly, such as the column tube, steeringshaft, or both.

The present teachings, however, have particular applicability forsteering column assemblies that are adjustable (e.g., for rake and/orreach). The assembly may include a manually operated steering wheeladjustment subassembly adapted for selectively adjusting the steeringshaft in a fore or aft direction generally along the longitudinal axis,selectively raising or lowering the steering shaft, or both. Thesteering wheel adjustment subassembly may include a lever or otherfeature adapted for manually actuating the subassembly. The subassemblymay include at least one engagement member (e.g., a pin, such as alocking pin) that is brought into and out of engagement with the columntube or a structure secured thereto (e.g., a telescope plate) forselectively locking the steering shaft into a position desired by a user(e.g., a fore or aft position). Other suitable hardware may be employedin the subassembly, such as one or more thrust bearings, one or morenuts, one or more cam fix elements, and/or one or more cam move elements(e.g., where the cam fix and the cam move elements are in opposingoperative relationship with each other, such as by contacting eachother). The subassembly may also include one or more spacers or dampersas described further herein.

A column housing may be pivotally mounted at a pivot mounting location(e.g., a permanently fixed mounting) within the automotive vehicle. Thepivot mounting location may, for example, be at or within about 20,about 30, about 40, or about 50 mm of a forward end of the columnhousing. The pivot mounting location may be on an underside of thecolumn housing, on a top side of the column housing, or at some locationin between the topside and the underside of the column housing. Thecolumn housing may at least partially surround the column tube. Thecolumn housing may have one or more projections or other structure toreceive a biasing device (e.g., a spring) that connects the columnhousing with the tilt bracket. The column housing may be a caststructure (e.g., including a metal such as aluminum, magnesium, zinc,and/or iron (e.g., steel)). During a secondary impact, the columnhousing may remain in a generally fixed position relative to the pivotmounting location. It may be secured in such a way that it translatesforward a relatively small amount (e.g., about 50 mm or less, about 20mm or less, or about 10 mm or less).

During an impact (such as a secondary impact), the structures of thepresent teaching may be configured to include a suitable combination ofelements arranged in a manner so that a column tube, steering shaft, orboth, is able to translate forward longitudinally relative to the columnhousing.

The assembly herein may further employ an energy absorption structure ofthe type described in U.S. Publication No. 2013/0233117, the entirety ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. Forinstance, the assembly herein may include at least one plasticallydeformable energy absorption device (e.g., a bend plate, a wire, or someother structure adapted to be carried at least partially by the columnhousing), wherein the energy absorption device, when employed, absorbsenergy by plastic deformation during the secondary impact after thesteering shaft support structure (e.g., column tube and steering shaft)starts to translate along the column housing. Any plastically deformableenergy absorption device may thus limit the extent of longitudinaltravel of the column tube, steering shaft, or both.

The present teachings contemplate an adjustment subassembly. Theadjustment subassembly may include a tilt adjustment assembly,telescoping adjustment assembly, or both, one or more components of theadjustment subassembly may act to cause or aid in both tilt andtelescoping adjustment. For example, by actuating a user operatingdevice, such as a lever, this may lock and/or unlock both thetelescoping adjustment assembly and the tilt adjustment assembly.

The assembly herein includes a tilt adjustment assembly. The assemblymay include two or more tilt plates extending downwardly on opposingsides of the column tube, column housing, or both. The tilt plates mayinclude one or more generally vertical slots. A tilt bolt or otherelongated fastener may extend between the two tilt plates, and the tiltbolt may be received within the vertical slots. The height adjustment ofthe assembly may be possible by the tilt bolt moving upwardly ordownwardly in the slots when the user operating device, such as a lever,is in an unlocked position. The assembly may be held at the desiredangle or height when the user operating device, such as a lever, ismoved into the locked position.

To lock the assembly at a desired height or angle relative to thedriver, the user operating device, such as a lever, may operate alocking system, such as a cam locking system. A rotational member may belocated within either or both of the vertical slots of the opposing tiltplates in the tilt adjustment assembly. The rotational member may begenerally oblong or tear shaped, for example. The rotational member mayengage (e.g., via teeth) with a wall defining the slot of the tilt platewhen the lever or other user operating device is in a locked position. Aspring may be keyed to the tilt bolt and attached to the rotationalmember so that when the lever is in a locked position, the spring pushesor rotates the rotational member so the teeth contact the tilt plate(e.g., at a wall defining the slot). Due to the shape of the rotationalmember, when the lever is in an unlocked position, the rotational membermay disengage from the wall defining the slot of the tilt plate (and theteeth may be clear of the surface), and the rotational member and tiltbolt may be permitted to move freely upwardly or downwardly within theslot to adjust the height and angle of the steering wheel for the driveror user.

The present teachings also contemplate a telescope adjustment assembly.Features of the telescope adjustment assembly may also serve to absorbenergy and/or break away during an impact, such as a secondary impact.

The telescope adjustment assembly may include a telescope plate. Thetelescope plate may be adapted to be secured to another portion of thesteering column assembly, such as the column tube, column housing, orboth. The telescope plate may function to provide an engagement area toallow for locking the telescope adjustment assembly. The telescope platemay include one or more features for securing the telescope plate toanother portion of the steering column assembly. The telescope plate mayinclude one or more openings for receiving a fastener (such as a rivet,pin, screw, bolt, or the like), one or more projections or fasteners(e.g., integrated fasteners) for being received within an openingelsewhere in the assembly (e.g., an opening in a column tube), or both.

The telescope plate may be generally planar. The telescope plate mayhave one or more segments or surfaces that are generally planar (e.g., asurface facing away from the element to which it is secured, such as thesurface facing away from the column tube). The telescope plate, or aportion or surface thereof, may have a shape that generally matches orcomplements the shape of the element within the assembly to which it isattached. For example, the telescope plate may include a surface thatincludes some curvature to reduce or prevent rocking of the plate on theouter diameter of a column tube to which it is attached.

The telescope plate may include one or more features for supporting atelescope damper. The telescope plate may include a portion having acurved profile to define an area upon which a telescope damper may besupported. The telescope plate may include one or more outwardlyextending projections (e.g., forming a T-shape) to secure or engage witha telescope damper. A telescope damper may be used as a stop within atelescoping assembly to prevent the column tube from translating too farin a fore or aft direction. A telescope damper may be formed of anelastomeric or resilient material to provide a soft stop.

The portion of the telescope plate facing away from the column tube (orother element to which it is attached) may engage with a fastener orpin, such as a spring biased locking pin. This locking pin may beactuated by the user operating device, such as a lever, of the steeringcolumn assembly. For engagement with the locking pin, the telescopeplate may include a frictional surface, such as a toothed or texturedsurface. The telescope plate may include a stepped surface. Thetelescope plate may include a surface that is generally complementary inshape to the portion of the locking pin with which it engages to allowfor a locking engagement between the structures. The telescope plate mayinclude one or more openings for receiving a portion of the locking pin.

The adjustment subassembly may include a locking pin or other memberadapted to engage with the telescope plate to provide a lockingengagement (e.g., locking following telescoping adjustment). The lockingpin may be pushed into and out of engagement with the telescope plate,depending on whether the assembly is in a locking or unlocking position.For example, the locking pin may be pushed toward the telescope plateupon locking of the lever, thereby coupling the column tube to thehousing. The locking pin may be lifted away from the telescope plateupon unlocking of the lever, decoupling the column tube from thehousing, to allow for smooth telescope adjustment. The locking pin maybe in a generally orthogonal relation to the longitudinal axis of thecolumn tube, generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of thetelescope plate, or both. The locking pin may be received within and/orsupported by an opening in the column housing. The locking pin may becaused to move axially through the opening in the housing (e.g., uponlocking and/or unlocking of the assembly).

The locking pin may have one or more features that allow it to engagewith and/or contact one or more other elements of the assembly. At ornear an end of the locking pin may be a plurality of teeth or otherengagement features for engaging with the telescope plate. Otherengagement features may include a textured surface, a stepped surface, acomplementary surface to the surface of the telescope plate to which itcontacts, an extension for being received within an opening, the like,or a combination thereof.

On an opposing end of the locking pin may be a head. The head may bereceived within another portion of the assembly, such as a preloadplate. In the assembly, the head of the locking pin may extend towardthe lever of the adjustment subassembly, away from the column tube, orboth.

The locking pin may include a body portion. The body portion may serveto provide an area around which a spring (e.g., a return spring) may belocated. The body portion may provide length to the locking pin (e.g.,to make the pin the required length to serve its intended purpose). Thebody portion may serve to join the engagement feature (e.g., teeth) toanother portion of locking pin (e.g., the lip).

The locking pin may include a lip. The lip may have a diameter ormaximum width that is greater than that of the head, body portion, orboth. The lip may provide one or more surfaces upon which pressure isapplied when in a locked position, unlocked position, or both. This mayenable engagement or disengagement of the locking pin from the telescopeplate. The preload plate may rest upon the lip of the locking pin whenthe head of the locking pin is received therein. The preload plate maypush or preload the locking pin toward the telescope plate via contactwith the lip.

When in an unlocked position, a spring (e.g., a return spring) locatedaround the body of the locking pin may contact the lip on the opposingside to lift the locking pin clear of the telescope plate to allow forsmooth telescope operation. The spring may be located between the lipand the column housing. The spring may contact the lip on one side andthe column housing on the opposing side. When the assembly is unlockingor in an unlocked position, the spring may force the locking pin awayfrom the column housing. This may function to decouple the columnhousing and the column tube. While described herein as a lip, anysurface extending from the locking pin or any feature capable ofengaging with the spring is within the scope of the teachings.

The locking pin may have a generally circular cross section. The lockingpin may have a generally rounded cross section. The locking pin may haveone or more portions where the cross section includes one or more flatareas (e.g., shaped like a D). The locking pin may include one or moregenerally flat surfaces extending along at least a portion of the lengthof the locking pin. The generally flat surface may extend along theentirety of the length of the locking pin. The generally flat surfacemay reduce or eliminate rotation of the locking pin within the assemblyto ensure proper alignment between the locking pin and the telescopeplate, such as the teeth of the locking pin and the toothed surface ofthe telescope plate, for example.

The adjustment subassembly may include a preload plate. The preloadplate may act as a spring, preloading the locking pin into the telescopeplate (e.g., in case of tooth-on-tooth engagement). The preload platemay include a portion that receives a portion of the locking pin. Forexample, the preload plate may include a pin opening for receiving thehead of the locking pin. The preload plate may include a portion thatcontacts a contact portion of the user operating device, such as alever.

The preload plate may include an outer segment. The preload plate mayinclude an inner segment. The preload plate may include an arcuateportion that joins the inner segment and the outer segment. The arcuateportion may provide a certain flexibility to the preload plate to allowit to flex or act as a spring. The inner and outer segments may begenerally parallel to each other when at rest or when no forces areacting upon it. The inner and outer segments may be urged toward eachother (e.g., to form an angular relationship, as opposed to a parallelone) upon application of a certain force or pressure via the flexibilityof the arcuate portion. The preload plate may have a generally C shape.

The outer segment may include one or more contact features forcontacting the contact portion of the user operating device, such as alever. For example, the outer segment may include one or more ridges,projections, or the like, for contacting the contact portion while in alocked position, unlocked position, or both.

The inner segment may include a pin opening for receiving the head ofthe locking pin. The pin opening may have a shape that is generally thesame as the shape of the head to reduce rotation or movement of thelocking pin within the opening. This may be further achieved by thepresence of one or more tabs at the opening. The tabs may extend towardthe outer segment and contact the head of the locking pin to furtherhold the locking pin in place (e.g., via friction, prevention of rockingor rotating, or both).

For telescoping adjustment, the portion of the telescope plate facingaway from the column tube may engage with a fastener, such as aspring-biased fastener, such as a locking pin, which may be actuated bythe lever of the steering column assembly. The fastener may be insertedthrough an opening in the column housing, tilt plate, or both. Thefastener may be positioned generally perpendicularly to the column tube.When the fastener, such as a spring-biased fastener, is pushed or whenpressure is applied (i.e., the spring is compressed), the tip of thefastener may be caused to engage with the telescope plate. For example,where the telescope plate includes a toothed surface, these teeth mayengage with a toothed end of a locking pin to provide locking engagementto prevent further movement of the column tube in a fore or aftdirection. The pressure or compression of the spring-biased fastener maybe provided by a portion of the lever or other user operating device.The pressure may be applied to a preload plate, which is distributed tothe locking pin. As such, the lever or other user operating device mayalso allow the user or driver to control the telescoping adjustment ofthe steering column assembly in a fore and aft direction. The lever mayinclude a ramp portion, or an angled segment facing the column tubeand/or column housing. When the lever is in a locked position, the rampportion may contact the preload plate (e.g., at the contact feature) orthe head of the fastener, such as a spring-biased fastener, such as alocking pin, thereby pushing the pin toward the column tube. When thelever is in an unlocked position, the spring-biased fastener may bereleased, and as the spring returns to an uncompressed state, the tip orend of the fastener is removed from engagement with the telescope plate(e.g., the toothed surface), and a user is free to pull or push thesteering wheel to adjust the position telescopically. In a similarfashion, if the portion of the telescope plate facing away from thecolumn tube included a series of holes or openings, the fastener mayhave a corresponding shape to fit snugly within the hole or opening. Thetelescope may instead include a slot or gap within which a fastener maybe received. The fastener may have an oblong cross-section so that inone position the fastener can freely travel within the slot or gap andwhen rotated may prevent further movement (e.g., similarly to therotational member and slot described with respect to the tilt adjustmentherein).

Put another way, by way of summary (without limitation) of the generalteachings herein, in a general respect, the present teachings relate toan adjustable steering column assembly. The assembly includes a steeringshaft support structure. For example, it may include a column housing,which may have one or more of the features as described in the presentteachings. It may include a column tube which may have one or more ofthe features as described in the present teachings and being adapted fortelescopic adjustment within the column housing. It may simply be a tubeor other suitable hollow structure (e.g., the single fabricated unitintegrated structure referenced above) for receiving a steering shaft. Asteering shaft, which may have one or more of the features as describedin the present teachings (which may support a steering wheel that isattached to it in part and may optionally be a part of the assembly),may be supported for rotation (e.g., by one or more bearings), at leastin part by the steering shaft support structure and having alongitudinal axis. A bracket, which may have one or more features asdescribed in the present teachings, may be employed for at leastpartially carrying the steering shaft support structure and/or attachingthe assembly within a vehicle (e.g., to a cross-vehicle structure). Forexample, as described, the bracket may include a portion that provides aguide structure along one or more downwardly projecting walls forallowing tilt adjustment. At least one securing member, which may haveone or more of the features as described in the present teachings (e.g.,a tilt bolt, in the case of a tilt adjustable steering column assembly),may be employed for fixing the position of the steering shaft supportstructure relative to the bracket. For example, the at least onesecuring member may be operatively connected to an actuator or otheruser operating device (such as a lever or electromagnetic actuator). Theat least one securing member may be operated to apply a force state(e.g., a damping force or to create an interference fit) to help securethe steering shaft support structure in a fixed position. The assemblymay allow at least a portion of the steering shaft support structure totranslate forward (e.g., in a collapse stroke) upon the application of athreshold load. The threshold load may be a load of about 0.5 kN ormore, or about 2 kN or more. The threshold load may be a load of about10 kN or less, or about 5 kN or less. The threshold load may be based ona customer's specified load requirements, which is typically betweenabout 2 kN and about 5 kN. There may also be employed one or more energyabsorption devices that are operable to absorb energy in response to aforce applied to it at least partially due to the forward translation ofthe steering shaft support structure. For example, a bend plate, a wire,or the like, may be in operative engagement with the at least onesecuring member and/or with the steering shaft support structure so thatenergy is absorbed by way of plastic deformation of the energyabsorption device. The steering shaft support structure (e.g., thecolumn tube to which the energy absorption device is attached) maytravel forward and may cause the energy absorption device to deform(e.g., plastically) so that energy from the impact is absorbed by virtueof the deformation.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a steering columnassembly 10 having a forward end 12 and a rearward end 14. A columnhousing 18 is pivotally attached to the vehicle via a bracket 18, thoughother configurations and brackets for mounting are also contemplated.The steering column assembly 10 includes a steering shaft 22 at therearward end 14, which is adapted for supporting a steering wheel (notshown). The steering shaft 22 is supported by a column tube 20, whichare both supported by the column housing 18. The column tube 20 ismovable relative to the column housing 18, particularly in a fore andaft direction for telescoping adjustment. The steering shaft 22 and thecolumn tube 20 are also adapted to be adjusted upwardly or downwardlyrelative to a driver via a tilt assembly that includes two parallel anddownwardly depending tilt plates 24 that support and engage a tilt bolt26 (see FIG. 2). Adjustment of the steering shaft 22 and column tube 20in a tilt and/or telescoping manner may be initiated by operating alever 32, which engages and/or disengages adjustment mechanisms or locksand/or unlocks the mechanisms, allowing a driver to put the steeringwheel in a desired position.

FIG. 2 illustrates an adjustment subassembly 30. For clarity ofillustration, the column housing is not shown (but see FIG. 4). Theposition of the column tube 20 is permitted to be adjusted upwardly anddownwardly relative to a driver or user of the vehicle via the tiltassembly, which includes a tilt bolt 26 supported on both ends byopposing tilt plates 24, each having a generally vertically orientedslot 28 to receive the tilt bolt 26 and optionally one or more lockingmembers (e.g., a cam or rotational member). The angle of the column tube20 can be adjusted manually via unlocking the lever 32 and moving thesteering wheel (not shown) to the desired height or inclination. Thetilt bolt is permitted to move along the slot 28 during tilt adjustmentand may lock in place upon locking the lever 32.

Upon locking and unlocking the lever 32, this causes a contact portion34 of the lever to contact a preload plate 50. The contact portion 34may have a ramp or angled surface that puts pressure on the preloadplate 50 in a locked state and releases or puts less pressure on thepreload plate in the unlocked position. The preload plate 50 engageswith a locking pin 70. When the lever 32 is in a locked position, thelocking pin 70 is pushed toward a telescope plate 40, which is attachedto the column housing 20 via one or more fasteners 43, such as rivets.The locking pin 70 engages with the telescope plate 40, for example at atoothed surface 44 of the telescope plate. When the lever 32 is in anunlocked position, a return spring 36 pushes the locking pin 70 awayfrom the telescope plate 40, thereby causing disengagement between thelocking pin 70 and the telescope plate 40.

FIG. 3 illustrates components of the adjustment subassembly of FIG. 2.For clarity, the lever 32 has been omitted. As shown, the assemblyincludes a preload plate 50 that engages with or receives a portion of alocking pin 70. A return spring 36 is located around a portion of thelocking pin 70, resting against a lip 74 of the locking pin 70, to liftthe locking pin clear of the telescope plate 40 when the lever isunlocked for smooth telescope operation. The preload plate 50 rests uponthe opposing surface of the lip 74 of the locking pin 70 to cause thelocking pin to engage with the telescope plate 40 when the lever is in alocked position. The locking pin 70 includes a plurality of teeth 78that engage with a toothed surface of the telescope plate 40. Thetelescope plate 40 is adapted to be secured to the column tube (see FIG.2) via one or more fasteners 43, such as rivets. At one end of thetelescope plate 40 is a damper 49, which may act as a telescope stop.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of the adjustment subassemblytaken along line A-A of FIG. 1. A forward end 12 of the assembly isvisible, while the rearward end has been removed. A column housing 18 ispivotally attached to the vehicle via a bracket 16. A column tube 20 ismovable relative to the column housing 18, particularly in a fore andaft direction for telescoping adjustment. A contact portion 34 of thelever (full lever omitted for clarity, but see FIG. 2) contacts apreload plate 50, which engages with or receives a portion of a lockingpin 70. The locking pin 70 penetrates an opening in the column housing18. The locking pin 70 is supported by the column housing 18. Thelocking pin 70 is permitted to move axially through the opening in thecolumn housing 18 upon locking and/or unlocking the lever. A returnspring 38 is located between and/or bears against a lip 74 of thelocking pin 70 and the column housing 18. The preload plate 50 restsupon the opposing surface of the lip 74. A plurality of teeth 78 arelocated at the opposite end of the locking pin 70 from the preload plate50. A telescope plate 40 is secured to the column tube 20, and theplurality of teeth 78 are adapted to engage with the telescope plate 40when the assembly is in a locked position. While described herein as aplurality of teeth, other shapes, surfaces, textures, or the like arecontemplated (e.g., having a surface that frictionally engages with thetelescope plate, having a complementary shape or texture as thetelescope plate, having a male or female portion that engages with afemale or male portion of the telescope plate).

Upon locking of the lever, the locking pin 70 is pushed toward thetelescope plate 40, thereby coupling the column tube 20 to the columnhousing 18. The contact portion 34 of the lever contacts the preloadplate 50, pushing the locking pin 70 toward the telescope plate 40. Theplurality of teeth 78 engage with the telescope plate 40.

The locking pin 70 is lifted away from the telescope plate 40 uponunlocking of the lever, thereby decoupling the column tube 20 from thecolumn housing 18. Pressure from the contact portion 34 on the preloadplate 50 is released. The return spring 36 pushes the lip 74 away fromthe column housing 18, thereby pushing the locking pin 70 out ofengagement with the telescope plate 40.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary telescope plate 40. The telescope plate40 includes one or more (as shown, two) fastener openings 42 forreceiving a fastener, such as a rivet, for securing the telescope plateto the column tube 20 (see FIG. 2). The telescope plate 40 includes atoothed surface 44 extending across at least a portion of the plate forengaging with the teeth 78 of a locking pin 70 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B).The telescope plate 40 includes a curved portion 46 at one end adaptedto support a damper 49 (see FIG. 3). The telescope plate 40 alsoincludes one or more damper engagement features 48, shown here as aT-shaped end.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary preload plate 50. The preload plate 50includes an outer segment 52 and an inner segment 54 joined by anarcuate portion 56. The outer segment 52 includes a contact feature 58,illustrated as a ridge or projection from the surface of the outersegment adapted to contact a contact portion 34 of the lever 32 (seeFIG. 2). The inner segment 54 includes a pin opening 60 for receiving ahead 72 of a locking pin 70 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B). At the pin opening60, there may be one or more tabs 62 which extend toward the outersegment 52 to further stabilize and/or secure the locking pin within theassembly.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an exemplary locking pin 70. The locking pin70 includes a head 72, which is adapted to be received within the pinopening 60 of a preload plate 50 (see FIG. 6). The locking pin includesa lip 74, which is adapted to contact a return spring 36 (see FIG. 3)and/or hold the return spring in a desired position. The opposing sideof the lip 74 is also adapted to contact the preload plate 50 (see FIG.3). The engagement between the return spring 36 and the lip 74 may causethe locking pin 70 to disengage from the toothed surface 44 of thetelescope plate 40 (see FIGS. 3-5) to allow for telescoping adjustmentof the assembly. The contact between the lip 74 and the preload plate 50may cause the locking pin to be pushed toward the toothed surface of thetelescope plate 40 to allow for locking of the assembly. The locking pinfurther includes a body 78, around which the return spring may belocated. At an opposing end from the head 72 is a plurality of teeth 78for engagement with the toothed surface 44 of the telescope plate 40.The locking pin 70 may include one or more generally flat or planarsurfaces 80, which is shown as being generally perpendicular to the flatsurface of the head 72 of the locking pin 70, though otherconfigurations or angular relationships are possible. The generally flatsurface may extend continuously along the entire length of the lockingpin, as shown, or may be over only a portion of the locking pin. Thegenerally flat surface may reduce or prevent rotation of the locking pinwithin the assembly (e.g., to ensure proper alignment of the teeth ofthe locking pin in relation to the toothed surface of the telescopeplate), allow the locking pin to engage with other features in theassembly (e.g., the preload plate), or both.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather,the words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention.

As can be appreciated, variations in the above teachings may beemployed. For example, it may be possible to make the steering wheeladjustment subassembly from multiple subassemblies. Rather than atoothed end of a pin engaging with a toothed portion of a telescopeplate, it is contemplated that a pin (which may be free of teeth) may beinserted into one of a series of openings along the length of the firstgenerally flat portion. It is also contemplated that toothed slots maybe located elsewhere within the assembly. For example, instead of, or inaddition to a cam or rotational member located within a slot of the tiltplate, the slot may be defined by a toothed opening that engages with aspring or a toothed cam or rotational member. Though the teachingsherein may reference to a secondary impact events as occasioning certainof the functional aspects of the teachings, the teachings are not solelylimited to secondary impact events. Rather, where reference is made tosecondary impact, unless otherwise qualified, the teachings should beregarded as contemplating other impacts or conditions in which athreshold load (e.g., in a forward facing direction in a vehicle) isencountered that substantially exceeds a normal operational load andwhere translation of the column tube may be desirable for substantiallyreducing load that otherwise would be transferred to a vehicle operator.

In general, the teachings herein envision a steering column assemblythat employs a column housing with a column tube. The teachings are notlimited solely to such assemblies. The teachings also have generalapplication to other types of steering column assemblies. Withoutlimitation, for example, the teachings are also contemplated for usewith a steering column assembly that is known typically as a translatingcolumn type assembly. Such an assembly may integrate a column housingwith a column tube. Such integration may be in the form of a singlefabricated unit (e.g., a casting). The unit may be mounted within avehicle. It may be mounted by way of one or more pins in one or moreslots. An energy absorption unit may be employed as well. During asecondary impact, the unit may travel forward along with a lever, or inthe absence of a lever.

Any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lowervalue to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that thereis a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and anyhigher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of acomponent or a value of a process variable such as, for example,temperature, pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90,preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intendedthat values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. areexpressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are lessthan one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 asappropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intendedand all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowestvalue and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to beexpressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and allnumbers between the endpoints. The use of “about” or “approximately” inconnection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of atleast the specified endpoints.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patentapplications and publications, are incorporated by reference for allpurposes. The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combinationshall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified,and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do notmaterially affect the basic and novel characteristics of thecombination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” todescribe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or stepsherein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of, oreven consisting of, the elements, ingredients, components or steps.

Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by asingle integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively,a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might bedivided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps.The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient,component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements,ingredients, components or steps.

Relative positional relationships of elements depicted in the drawingsare part of the teachings herein, even if not verbally described.Further, geometries shown in the drawings (though not intended to belimiting) are also within the scope of the teachings, even if notverbally described.

1. An adjustment subassembly for a steering column assembly comprising:a. a telescope plate adapted to be secured to a column tube of thesteering column assembly; b. a locking pin having one or more featuresat one end that are adapted to engage with the telescope plate; c. apreload plate adapted to receive at least a portion of the locking pinat an opposing end of the locking pin; and d. a user operating devicefor causing engagement and disengagement of the locking pin and thetelescope plate through contact with the preload plate.
 2. Theadjustment subassembly of claim 1, wherein the telescope plate isgenerally planar.
 3. The adjustment subassembly of claim 1, wherein theuser operating device is a lever.
 4. The adjustment subassembly of claim1, wherein the telescope plate includes a toothed surface extendingacross at least a portion of the telescope plate.
 5. The adjustmentsubassembly of claim 4, wherein the locking pin includes a plurality ofteeth for engaging with the toothed surface of the telescope plate. 6.The adjustment subassembly of claim 1, wherein the locking pin isadapted to be supported by an opening in the column housing.
 7. Theadjustment subassembly of claim 6, wherein the user operating devicecauses the locking pin to move axially through the opening in the columnhousing.
 8. The adjustment subassembly of claim 1, wherein the lockingpin includes a head at the opposing end to be received within an openingin the preload plate, a lip adjacent to the head and having a width ordiameter that is greater than that of the head, and a body on anopposing side of the lip having a width or diameter less than that ofthe lip.
 9. The adjustment subassembly of claim 8, wherein a returnspring is located around the body of the locking pin to cause thelocking pin to disengage from the telescope plate when the adjustmentsubassembly is in an unlocked position.
 10. The adjustment subassemblyof claim 1, wherein the locking pin includes one or more generally flatsegments extending along a length of the locking pin.
 11. The adjustmentsubassembly of claim 1, wherein the user operating device includes acontact portion with an angled surface adapted to contact the preloadplate to cause preloading and/or engagement of the locking pin and thetelescope plate when in a locked position.
 12. The adjustmentsubassembly of claim 1, wherein the preload plate includes an outersegment adapted to contact a portion of the user operating device and aninner segment adapted to receive at least a portion of the locking pin,wherein the inner segment and outer segment are joined by an arcuateportion.
 13. The adjustment subassembly of claim 12, wherein the outersegment and the inner segment are generally parallel when at rest. 14.The adjustment subassembly of claim 12, wherein the outer segmentincludes a contact feature for contacting a portion of the useroperating device.
 15. The adjustment subassembly of claim 12, whereinthe inner segment includes a pin opening for receiving a head of thelocking pin.
 16. The adjustment subassembly of claim 1, wherein thetelescope plate includes one or more features for securing and/orreceiving a telescope damper.
 17. The adjustment subassembly of claim 1,wherein the telescope plate includes a curved portion at one end todefine an area for receiving and/or supporting a telescope damper.
 18. Asteering column assembly comprising: a. a column tube; b. a steeringshaft supported for rotation at least in part by the column tube; c. abracket for at least partially carrying the column tube; and d. theadjustment subassembly of claim
 1. 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled)
 21. Thesteering column assembly of claim 18, wherein the telescope plate isadapted to break away from the column tube upon an impact exceeding athreshold load.
 22. The steering column assembly of claim 18, whereinthe locking pin is supported by an opening in the column housing, andwherein the user operating device causes the locking pin to move axiallythrough the opening in the column housing.
 23. (canceled)